Speed controlled printer

Abstract

A manually operated dot printer designed for use in a pocket-sized calculator or a small-sized electronic device includes a printing head which is manually driven across the dot printer paper in one direction to store energy in springs. The springs return the printing head in steps intermittently while the printing head effects printing on the printing paper. The springs also feed the printing paper. While the printing head is manually moved, the printing elements are maintained out of contact with the printing paper. During return movement of the printing head, the printing elements are in contact with, or nearly in contact with, the printing paper for printing operations. The actual printing operations of the printing head are performed with electrical control using elements of low power consumption.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A printer for printing on a recording paper, comprising: printing head means, said printing head means being mounted for incremental translation relative to said paper for printing a line of characters thereon;   means for translating said printing head means for said printing;   speed control means cooperating with said printing head means, said speed control means controlling the speed of said incremental translation of said printing head means, said speed control means including teeth means and ankle means having at least two ankle pawls for alternate engagement with said teeth means, said incremental movement of said printing head means being caused by said alternate engagement of said ankle pawls with said teeth;   detection means mounted on said printing head means, said detection means providing a signal at each increment of movement of said printing head means for printing, said signals synchronizing actuation of said printing means with each incremental position of said printing head means, said detection means including a lever on and moving with said ankle means, and a detector, said detector detecting a pivoting motion of said lever and producing said signals each corresponding to an incremental movement;   printing means mounted on said printing head means and moving therewith, said printing means printing on said paper when said printing head means is moved for printing.   
     
     
       2. A printer as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising: means for advancing said paper, said advancement being powered by said energy stored in said printer.   
     
     
       3. A printer as claimed in claim 2, and further comprising means for manually advancing said paper. 
     
     
       4. A printer as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said printing means is electrically operated. 
     
     
       5. A printer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said print means is a dot printer. 
     
     
       6. A printer as claimed in claim 1 or 3, and further comprising means for displacing said printing means from said paper while said print head moves in one direction, and moving said print means toward said paper when said print head moves in the opposite direction. 
     
     
       7. A printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for translating said printing head means includes spring means, said spring means being adapted to store energy when said printing head means is translated in one direction across said paper, said printing head means moving incrementally across said paper in the opposite direction powered by said energy stored in said spring means. 
     
     
       8. A printer as claimed in claim 7 and further comprising means for advancing said paper, said advancement being powered by said energy stored in said spring means.